Elkhorn Valley Wrestling Youth Medal At State

The Nebraska USA State Wrestling Tournament was held on March 17 and 18 at the Heartland Event Center in Grand Island, NE. The Elkhorn Valley Wrestling Club had 3 members place in the top 8 of their bracket and brought home medals. At this tournament, brackets can range anywhere from 8 individuals in a bracket to as large as 32 individuals in a bracket.

Trigg Bennett competed in the Preschool-Kindergarten division at 45-46 pounds. In Trigg’s first match of the day, he defeated Gehrke of Plattsmouth 16-1 and then defeated Good of Waverly 23-8. His next match would be a tough one, and he was defeated by Turpin of Millard South 16-1. In his last match of the day, Trigg battled back, pinning Ruckman of Beatrice to receive 2nd place.

In the 3rd-4th grade division, Nathan Werner competed in the 105 pound weight class. Nathan started off with a big win, pinning Fischer of Sidney in just 56 seconds. Nathan was then defeated by Kuzelka of Fairbury in a close match losing 5-8. Nathan then came away with back-to-back wins, defeating Choutka of Cavalry 9-3 and Troxel of Team CES in a tight match with a final score of 5-4. He then fell to Rasmussen of Chadron. In his final match of the day, Nathan pinned Yonkers of Midwest Destroyers in 1 minute and 35 seconds, earning a 5th place medal.

In the 5th-6th grade division, Wyatt Nierodzik competed in the 100 pound weight class. Wyatt received a bye for his first round of the tournament and then was defeated by Arrants from Grand Island. Wyatt received a bye in the next round of the tournament before pinning Miller of Ogallala in a quick 44 seconds. Wyatt then defeated Faust of Lincoln Squires 8-0 before losing to Chamberlin of Battle Creek. Wyatt then defeated Baum of Broken Bow 7-5, and his effort was enough to earn him a 7th place medal.